2026 Cutest puppy Registration:

Please be sure to follow all checkout instructions to finalize your puppy's registration

CONTEST DETAILS:

Who can participate?
Vaccinated puppies born after 1/31/25 are eligible.

$25 entry fee for the puppies (not the hooomans) includes a raffle entry for a $250 Klondike merch bundle. Register your pup in person before 2pm on event day. Pups must be registered by 2:00pm on 1/31 to be included in the contest. (Max 60 pups)

How to vote!
Voting will take place in-person only at Back Channel Brewing Co.—get there early to get your voting tickets and the super fun extras before they run out!
$10 = 5 voting tickets
$30 = 15 voting tickets + a Klondike pint glass*
$60 = 30 voting tickets + 1 beer
$100 = 50 voting tickets + a Klondike hat* and entry into the $250 Klondike merch bundle.
*While supplies last.

Who will win?
Votes will be tallied and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd-place winners of the 2026 Lake Minnetonka Klondike Dog Derby Cutest Puppy Contest will be announced via social media and on race weekend. Winners will pick up their prizes at Westonka Animal Hospital: 2125 Commerce Blvd, Mound, MN 55364

CONTEST schedule:

1:00 - 5:00pm - Raising funds for the Klondike at Back Channel Brewing Company!
Food Trucks! Vendors to be announced soon! - 10% of proceeds going to the Klondike
Beer! $1 from each draft beer sold during event will go to Klondike
$2 from each BOWL of IPA sold during event will go to Klondike
Bowls! $3 from each bowl purchased on 1/31 (to take home) will go to Klondike
Vote! Voting tickets are $2 each and 100% of the proceeds go toward race day

1:00 - 2:00pm
In-person puppy registration. 60 pups, max.

2:00pm - Voting begins!
Cast your votes for the 2026 Klondike CUTEST PUPPY!

4:00pm: The PUPPY BOWL!
Sponsored by Back Channel Brewing Co.,Westonka Rotary and NW Tonka Lions. PJ’s Rescue is bringing a litter of 7-week ADOPTABLE puppies who will wiggle and waggle their way to a touchdown!

5:00pm - Voting ends!
Winners will be announced via social media and from the announcer’s podium on Race Day!

Puppies and their hoomans need not be present to win, however, we encourage in-person cuddles and tummy scratches to campaign for votes!

2026 CUTEST PUPPY SPONSORS:

Funds raised from the Cutest Puppy Event will go toward our 2026 race weekend operating expenses—where all net profits will be donated to our non-profit partners: @candocanines, @castoutdoor and @icafoodshelf